What's up with snake haters? (rant)

They know nothing about ball pythons or snakes in general and they are willing to criticize and hate on my baby ball, I'm such a proud owner and I've been showing everyone how cute he is (on my phone) but I just can't stand it when those one in a few make that disgusting face and say EW!! I HATE SNAKES! THAT'S SO GROSS!! It makes me so angry because they just don't understand and they are not willing to even try!!

Ok that feel's better. lol.

Get use to it ;)

:oops:yeah guess I have to. At least people on this site love snakes and understand :)

yes, you will find refuge here my friend! one of the few places..

I feel ya...I've had many people say Ew gross when I show them pictures of my little guy who I think is cute! Some of my friends even said they don't know if they want to come to my house anymore :weirdface. I think snakes are very misunderstood.

Omg are you serious?? That's terrible, and yes, they are VERY misunderstood...too bad.

It happens. When I post a pic up and someone posts "Eww! I hate snakes! They're gross!" I usually ask them how they would feel if I posted "Gross dog! They slobber and are NASTY!" on their pup's picture. I don't want them to suddenly love snakes, but at least be polite. A "I don't like snakes" if you're in person is fine, but don't go posting on my pictures online, or going out of your way to say it publicly or I'll smack you with a newspaper, you know?

The media gives Snakes a bad name. And some people are to ignorant to understand and realize that.

My Aunt won't even come visit or let her kids visit knowing I have a snake here.
I got thoroughly offended. I have locks on the tank for gosh sakes!
If that's gnna keep her away then so be it. I guess we just wont see her.

Snakes are essentially harmless when properly housed and handled.
They are so misunderstood it's quite unfortunate, ppl fail to realize that Captive bred snakes are much different than wild snakes.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

It happens. When I post a pic up and someone posts "Eww! I hate snakes! They're gross!" I usually ask them how they would feel if I posted "Gross dog! They slobber and are NASTY!" on their pup's picture. I don't want them to suddenly love snakes, but at least be polite. A "I don't like snakes" if you're in person is fine, but don't go posting on my pictures online, or going out of your way to say it publicly or I'll smack you with a newspaper, you know?

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I completely agree, there is no need for that kind of ignorance!

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Originally Posted by Generationshell

My Aunt won't even come visit or let her kids visit knowing I have a snake here.
I got thoroughly offended. I have locks on the tank for gosh sakes!

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Wow, I can't believe that. That's seriously appalling, it's not like you have an 18 ft burmese python.

my brother has 2 nasty hairy tarantulas...but my mom is more fearful of and hatin on my snake...how is that possible? arnt spiders nasty as hell in comparison to a snake?UGHHH

I always get asked "Well whats gonna happen when It gets bigger. How is it gnna act?"

First I think "When does temperament have anything to do with size? All because they grow a couple feet doesnt mean they all of the sudden become aggressive and mean! If the snake was docile when it was 2 feet long. Its gonna be docile when its 5 feet long!"

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Originally Posted by herekitkitty

my brother has 2 nasty hairy tarantulas...but my mom is more fearful of and hatin on my snake...how is that possible? arnt spiders nasty as hell in comparison to a snake?UGHHH

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The thing is, is that now we cant say this about other species either because to tarantula lovers you are "misunderstanding them". :D

yeah just because human babies can't defend themselves and are more "docile" as babies doesn't mean every other species of animals are more defensive when they are babies, ppl are just ignorant a lot of the times, it's sad really. But seriously though, aren't human babies the most defenseless babies out there?

well here is my reasoning...tarantulas can get loose and like..lay eggs in ur ears or sumthing lolllllll. i dono, im not sayin they are gross. cus i feed them. i am just sayin i dont see how she can say the snake is worse than the tarantulas. not hatin on them at all.

As snake owners we have to accept responsibility for our snake(s) And take precautions such as locking the tank everytime, and not allowing the snake around an infant or baby.

Problems only erupt when owners are careless. Which is why when things do happen the whole snake owning population takes the fault of that one owner who failed to be responsible. It's poor owners that allow bad instances to occur that give the snake community a bad name.

All critters have their good points. I've never heard of anyone having a tarantula laying eggs in someone's ear, I think that's a product of someone hating spiders, like some people say that snakes will strangle you in your sleep.

I personally think human babies are icky, with the drool and noise and all, no offense to parents here of course. But I certainly don't run around in public telling people with babies "Oh, that baby is disgusting! How can you touch it!?!" or post on their online pictures that I don't like babies and can't understand how anyone would possibly have one in their house. It's just RUDE.

And no, human babies aren't the most helpless infant. There's marsupials that are born blind, deaf, and unable to do anything more than wiggle and suckle milk. Most birds are hatched blind, as are many mammals like cats and dogs. Human babies can hear, see and make noises, grasp with hands, suckle milk and move about somewhat by wriggling and rolling back and forth. (although they can't roll over or crawl).

True but puppies and kittens have claws and teeth, human babies have...soft skin...and drool...and puke. lol.

There will always be these cases. However, unless you've never shied away from something, can you blame someone for not liking a snake?

Sure it's rude, but it happens, the best we can do is calmly explain that their actions have no factual basis.

Now if they're so afraid they won't enter your house, maybe they're not even worth acknowledging.


I'm terrified of spiders, and not a fan of scorpions...if I didn't have patient people to teach me more I'd still be the same way.

I get them responses a lot, especially when I tell them how many I have. The best way I have come around it is to be very polite and try to educate them, there are some that will listen. If they are unwilling to listen, just shrug it off and don't let it get to you.

Even though I too get a lot of the "OH EW GROSS!" responses when people see pictures of my babies or see the shed skins I have tacked up on my office wall, I still surprisingly get a lot of people that still want to hear what I have to say about them once they realize how much I know that contradicts what they thought they knew.
A lot of times they'll end up asking me questions about everything from the basic "how big do they get, do they have fangs, are the "poisonous"(venomous), do they bite, aren't they mean, slimy, etc." all the way to how do they breed, do all snakes lay eggs, how do they shed their skin, how do they get different colors like the ones you have, how long do they live, etc.
Usually by the time I'm done with the discussion they aren't quite so grossed out any more.
Of course talking about how I will cuddle with my snakes just like I do my dogs while I'm in bed watching tv or movies or reading, usually gets some strange looks, but once I explain that they are still animals and do still enjoy the attention as that's what keeps them from being vicious and flighty, they understand a little better. Not one has ever said they'd go that far though, but have had some say that they would consider petting or holding one after talking to me about it.
Those are the times that it makes me smile.

I seem to get a lot of people that do the same thing when it comes to all my piercings and tattoos also. Initial reaction is always "Ew, ow, doesn't that hurt?" but then they have a million questions for me. I eventually became the body mod consultant at work.
People love it when you know enough about a subject to be able to answer a lot of questions and sure you'll get the jerks that won't even want to hear it, but a lot of times you will find even they end up curious eventually.

I think that no matter what you do people will not always understand. If it's your job, your hobbies, anything you do. What I find that helps is not getting upset about it. I had a lady who comes into my work who loves me to death. When I told her I had one snake at that time she freaked. Still hasn't hugged me to this day because of it. She is still nice to me and loves to talk even about my snakes on a good day, but will probably never hug me again. I realize that it's a fear for some people (Snakes and Spiders). We all have fears, even if they're irrational ones. You just have to understand that if that is someones main fear you most likely won't be able to change it. Just love those people even if they can't love or respect your hobby. You come out the better person in the end!;)

The worlds full of closed minded jerks where ever you look. Best thing to do is ignore them untill provoked. Then make them feel like the ignorant jerks that they really are.

I was at a family reunion this summer and a family member who had looked at the pictures of my snakes on Facebook marched up to me and said, "I just want you to know that I hate your snakes." I felt like saying, "I just want you to know that I hate what you're wearing." There are polite ways of letting people know you don't like something. Further more, when I posted the pictures of my snakes, I did NOT do so to gain anyone's approval, or to ask what anyone thought of them. If you want to comment, fine, but think about how you're making the other person feel first!

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Originally Posted by Punkymom

I was at a family reunion this summer and a family member who had looked at the pictures of my snakes on Facebook marched up to me and said, "I just want you to know that I hate your snakes." I felt like saying, "I just want you to know that I hate what you're wearing." There are polite ways of letting people know you don't like something. Further more, when I posted the pictures of my snakes, I did NOT do so to gain anyone's approval, or to ask what anyone thought of them. If you want to comment, fine, but think about how you're making the other person feel first!

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It is true, people just can't seem to fathom that it's even possible for us to feel something for these "monsters" so to them making comments like that don't even register as being rude.
It's like someone said earlier, what if one of us were to walk up to someone and say "Gross, your kids are ugly and disgusting, why would you even have something so horrible." I'm sure we'd be liable to be punched in the face if we said something like that :rolleyes:

I just got my baby ball yesterday and my cus said he might not come over ne more i try to get him to just understand that he isn't harmful and its even weirder considering i have three scorpions as well...lol

My mother absolutely hates snakes and she won't step foot into my home because of it. She is like, "They are so gross!" I very calmly explained the facts to her so if she chooses not to come into my home then that is her personal choice.

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Originally Posted by Punkymom

I was at a family reunion this summer and a family member who had looked at the pictures of my snakes on Facebook marched up to me and said, "I just want you to know that I hate your snakes." I felt like saying, "I just want you to know that I hate what you're wearing." There are polite ways of letting people know you don't like something. Further more, when I posted the pictures of my snakes, I did NOT do so to gain anyone's approval, or to ask what anyone thought of them. If you want to comment, fine, but think about how you're making the other person feel first!

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I would have said "wow - do you realize how incredibly rude you just were?"

My mother can't stand snakes, she said she'd never come into my home again - guess what, she has. She just looks the other way. She's also come to the realization that the snakes are an important part of my life, so she supports my decision to keep them. She doesn't understand it, but she now tolerates it.

I've been incredibly lucky - I have a lot of Facebook friends that are friends simply through the games that I play, and have no interest in snakes. I've re-connected with friends from high school. My friends who aren't into snakes have enough grace to not say anything when I post pictures. Of course, my profile picture there is my avatar, so I've probably desensitized most of them! Any time I post, they see a snake! LOL

I just got my BP monday. I posted some pics on facebook, and the flood came.. lol After about 10 negative rants I started getting ticked off, and told my wife I'd NEVER put another pic of him or me holding him on FB again. I did get a few good compliments, but by far it was negative to downright hatefull. I'm hooked on my beautiful snake and they'll never get me to change otherwise.

I get it all the time when I mention I have a snake. Then someone ask what kind and the only word they hear is "PYTHON". They think its gonna be like 30feet long and all the badd media hype sterotypes of "PYTHONS". The next thing out of their mouth is aren't you afraid its gonna hurt you kids? I then explain that its a ball python gets no bigger then 5feet and couldn't hurt my dog if it wanted to. Then they really freak out when I they found out I have 10 lol!

hey i hear ya i do. my own dad is a snake hater. the bible has depicted the snake as an evil creature out to get everyone who comes near. in the movies snakes are getting horrible rap and are being depricted as giant, man-eating monsters.
it's sickening at its best.

Yea it does get annoying after a while hearing all the negative comments, I have a little battle going on at my house with my wife, she doesn't like my snakes, and we playfully go back and forward about if my daughter is going to like reptiles, she's 11 months old. I already got my 4 year old godson asking his mom for a gecko, hahahaha. There's always going to be a hater with everything.

My mom is still like that. She thinks my BP is going to break out of it's cage and kill me in my sleep. I have told her at least 50 times that there is no way that can even happen, but she continues to use that same argument as a reason why I shouldn't have one. She even went as far as telling me that I better not have them in the house whenever I have kids.

Though my sister did finally talk her into letting her get a Beardie, so maybe that will desensitize her to reptiles a bit. Though, it's gonna be funny to see her face when I give my sister one of the normals I hatch out when I start breeding. :)

My sister (well, all of them, but the one that lives near me) is a snake hater so rarely comes over. She has three kids (so I don't mind that she rarely comes over LOL) and her 5 year old is a snake lover and just can't enough of them. He has a ton of plastic/rubber/stuffed snakes and a million reptile books and can identify many types and recite basic facts about them. It absolutely cracks me up that she hates them so much but has to sit there with him and read about them and let him handle mine when he does come over (he's due for a hands on visit now that I think about it).

We went to a wildlife fair at my son's alma mater a few months back, she was horrified at the amount of 'loose' snakes and her son was in his glory. Much to her chagrin he handled a lot of them. I can still see her face and it still makes me giggle. I can't wait until he gets older and decides he wants one of his own. That hasn't occurred to him yet, but it will.

My son is working in Tennessee right now, doing reptile surveys for the University of Alabama A & M and updates his FB page with pictures of copperheads, box turtles, skinks, frogs, toads, milk snakes, rat snakes, hoggies...pretty much everything that he traps...and my nephew is constantly asking my sister to go to his page. She sits there and looks at my son tubing copperheads and tells her son it's a great thing but the look on her face tells a different story. It's going to be really funny when her son takes after my son and does that for a living.

Some of my friends have said "well, I'm never coming to your house" and I usually reply with a "I don't recall inviting you". :)

I live in the Pittsburgh area so I went down to the 4th of July celebration at Point State Park a couple of weeks. My wife and I decided to cross the Clemente Bridge to visit some places on the north side. Guess what we saw while walking across the bridge? A guy walking around with his ball python wrapped around his neck! Of course I had to stop and talk to him. Believe it or not, a lot of the people that were on the bridge were stopping to check out his bp and asked him a bunch of questions. Didn't see too many people get grossed out by it or get scared of it. What I saw was more fascination than anything else. So, I guess there is some hope! There's a lot of wildlife around this area so maybe people are just more used to it around here. He had a very healthy looking bp too! Very fat!

Four words for ya...

Get used to it...:mad:

I used to be really annoyed by people who said "Ew I hate snakes." Then I just stopped caring. The way I see it, they are missing out. I get to witness their beauty and experience them every day. I understand how wonderful they are, but those who just don't get it are just missing out. I have been able to convert a few people but at this point its a "If you ask, I'll answer/show." kind of thing when it comes to my reptiles.

Sometimes it's a good thing. Fear of snakes kept my mother in law out of my house for weeks. She finally broke down and started coming over again, but she still stays away from my office/snake room, so I have a fortress of solitude.:gj:

Snakes get a lot of bad press here in South Florida because of the problem with Burms in the everglades, but I love using my beautiful snakes as ambassadors to break down peoples prejudices and educate them. I have had a lot of visitors come over not knowing I had snakes and be terrified at first, only to end up holding them and marveling at how cool they felt and how docile they are.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I would have said "wow - do you realize how incredibly rude you just were?"

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I was so taken aback that I was at a loss for words...I think I said something around the lines of, "Well, I can't stand dogs." And her dog was there :P

Its not hate but a learned FEAR...

I tell people I have snakes, I show them pics if they ask. But otherwise leave them be. A lot of people get carried away by their interests/pets/whatever and fail to realize other people may be less than enthusiastic. Hence not bugging people with it. If a conversation gets close enough for me to bring it up, yeah I do, but I stop unless they really arent interested and often ask if they have any pets.

I have met a lot of old ladies who have been taken back to their youth by the concept of having a snake, and believe me I wish I had met the 40 years before because I would have probably invited them over ;)

Next time that person(s) show you a picture of a cat or dog start acting crazy grossed out lmao :P

Oi Vey... My sister constantly is getting on me about my snake, making rude comments like

"Snakes are the ones who screwed humans over in the first place"
"Snakes are stupid they should'nt be pets"
"One day I'm just going to let it go when you arn't here"
"Whats the best way to kill a snake? Oh! I'll chop it's head off!"
"I'm so tempted just to chop it's head off"

Its NEVERENDING!!
I would kill her if she ever laid a hand on my snake!!!

Generationshell, have you introduced your snake to your sister? Shown how nice it is, and brought up that in christianity the snake was possessed by satan?

Yes I have. It's no use... :[